ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>EDI Center News, January, 2006</TITLE> <meta name="description" content="EDI Center Newsletter, January, 2006."> <meta name="keywords" content="EDI, electronic data interchange, newsletter, news letter"> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=unicode"> <STYLE> body { font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;} a:link { color: #0302B8; text-decoration:none} a:visited { color: #0302B8;text-decoration:none} a:active { color: #0302B8} a:hover { color: #C69800; text-decoration:underline} </STYLE> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#fbfbff> <DIV align=center> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD width="100%" bgColor=#fbfbff><A name=top></A> <DIV align=center> <TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #020169 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #020169 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #020169 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #020169 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=center bgColor=#355581 height=100> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=bottom width=7>&nbsp;</TD> <TD vAlign=bottom>&nbsp;</TD> <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=bottom width=7>&nbsp;</TD> <TD vAlign=bottom> <P style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: #ffffff; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> &nbsp;&nbsp;<EM style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><FONT size=4>Welcome To</FONT></EM> </P> <P style="MARGIN-TOP: -28px; FONT-SIZE: 34pt; COLOR: #c69800; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma" align=center><B>&nbsp;<FONT face=Arial>EDI Center News</FONT></B></P></TD> <TD> <P align=right>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center noWrap bgColor=#000000> <P style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2pt; COLOR: #a47e00; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; LETTER-SPACING: 7pt" align=center>EDI Education, Jobs, and Support</P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top align=middle width=150 bgColor=#fffcf2> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD bgColor=#355581><A name=Training> <P style="FONT-SIZE: 13pt; COLOR: #ffffff; FONT-FAMILY: Arial" align=center><STRONG>Upcoming EDI Training</STRONG>&nbsp; </P></A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD align=middle> <P><B><FONT face=Verdana size=2><BR></FONT><FONT face=Verdana>EDI Fundamentals Class<BR>February 10, 2006</FONT></B></P> <P><FONT face=Verdana size=2><B>&nbsp;</B>Whether you are new to EDI or have been working in the field, this is a great opportunity to network with other EDI professionals and brush up on your EDI knowledge.</FONT></P> <P><B><FONT face=Verdana size=2><A href="http://www.edi-center.com/edi-class-registration.htm"> Sign Up Now</A> for Early Registration Discount</FONT></B></P><FONT face=Verdana size=2> <HR color=#020169 SIZE=1> </FONT> <P><B><FONT face=Verdana size=2>This is our</FONT><BR><FONT face=Verdana color=#c69800>Third&nbsp;Edition</FONT><BR><FONT face=Verdana size=2>We publish quarterly. </FONT></B></P> <HR color=#020169 SIZE=1> <P><B><FONT face=Verdana size=1>We try to cover the highlights of the industry but if we have missed something, let us know and we will try to incorporate it in an upcoming edition.</FONT></B></P> <HR color=#020169 SIZE=1> <TABLE id=table1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD bgColor=#355581> <P align=center><B><FONT face=Arial color=#ffffff size=2><A name=04></A>Upcoming Industry Meetings</FONT></B></P></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top> <DIV align=center> <CENTER> <TABLE id=table2 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> <P align=left>The Southern California eBusiness Forum will have their next meeting on&nbsp;January&nbsp;11, 2006. The meeting topic is RFID and promises to discuss real applications.</P> <P align=left><A href="http://www.scebiz4m.org/Content/MeetingNotice011106.htm"> Additional Information</A></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV> <P align=right><FONT face=Verdana size=1><A href="#top">Back to top</A>&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <P><B><FONT face=Verdana size=1><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></B></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD bgColor=#355581> <P align=center><B><FONT face=Arial color=#ffffff size=2><A name=05></A>Staffing &amp; Support</FONT></B></P></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top> <DIV align=center> <CENTER> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> <P align=left>&nbsp;</P> <P align=left>If you are looking to fill an EDI position or find short term staffing, we can post a job opening on our site for a minimal monthly fee. </P> <P align=left>Find out more about <A href="http://www.edi-center.com/edi-staffing.htm"> EDI staffing</A>.</P> <P align=left>If you are an EDI Coordinator looking for a new position, please visit our current openings.</P> <P align=left>Find out more about <A href="http://www.edi-center.com/edi-jobs.htm">EDI openings</A>.</P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV> <P align=right><FONT face=Verdana size=1><A href="#top">Back to top</A>&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <P></P></TD> <TD vAlign=top width=10 background=http://www.edi-center.com/images/Tabular_Navy-Gold_Newsletter_i05.gif> <P>&nbsp;</P></TD> <TD vAlign=top> <DIV align=center> <CENTER> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD width="50%"></TD> <TD width="50%"> <P style="PADDING-RIGHT: 2pt; PADDING-LEFT: 2pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2pt; PADDING-TOP: 2pt" align=right><B><FONT face=Verdana size=1>January&nbsp;9, 2006 Volume&nbsp;III</FONT></B></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD height=30> <P><B><FONT face=Verdana size=2>IN THIS ISSUE:</FONT></B></P></TD></TR> <TR> <TD> <DIV align=right> <TABLE cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 width="95%" border=0><TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top width=10><FONT face=Wingdings color=#0302b8 size=3>Ø</FONT></TD> <TD vAlign=top width=351><FONT face=Verdana size=2><A href="#Training">Upcoming EDI Training Classes</A></FONT></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top width=10><FONT face=Wingdings color=#0302b8 size=3>Ø</FONT></TD> <TD vAlign=top width=351><A href="#01"><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Retail EDI News</FONT></A></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top width=10><FONT face=Wingdings color=#0302b8 size=3>Ø</FONT></TD> <TD vAlign=top width=351><A href="#02"><FONT face=Verdana size=2>EDI Standards Service Provider News</FONT></A></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top width=10><FONT face=Wingdings color=#0302b8 size=3>Ø</FONT></TD> <TD vAlign=top width=351><FONT face=Verdana size=2><A href="#03">Technology News - RFID Updates</A> </FONT></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top width=10><FONT face=Wingdings color=#0302b8 size=3>Ø</FONT></TD> <TD vAlign=top width=351><A href="#04"><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Upcoming Industry Meetings and Conferences</FONT></A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <DIV align=center> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD background=http://www.edi-center.com/images/Tabular_Navy-Gold_Newsletter_i07.gif> <P align=right><IMG height=24 src="http://www.edi-center.com/images/Tabular_Navy-Gold_Newsletter_i02.gif" width=24 border=0></P></TD> <CENTER> <TD noWrap width="5%" bgColor=#c69800> <P align=right><B><FONT face=Arial color=#ffffff size=2><A name=01></A>Retail EDI News&nbsp;</FONT></B> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="97%" border=0><TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=Wingdings color=#020169 size=1>l</FONT> </TD> <TD vAlign=top> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=59 src="http://www.edi-center.com/images/Retail.gif" width=170 align=right border=0></FONT></P><FONT face=Verdana size=2><B>VAN Migrations<BR></B></FONT><FONT size=2> The retailers have nearly completed their migrations away from the once QRS IBM/Advantis networks.&nbsp;Some of the recent activity from the second half of 2005 included:</FONT>&nbsp; <P><FONT size=2><B>Dillard&#39;s</B> now utilizes two VANs, GXS and Inovis.</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2><STRONG>Belks</STRONG>&nbsp;moved their&nbsp;trading partners to Inovis.</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2><STRONG>Kmart</STRONG>&nbsp;moved their traffic to the Sterling Information Broker Network.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <HR color=#e6e6e6 SIZE=1> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="97%" border=0><TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=Wingdings color=#020169 size=1>l</FONT></TD> <TD vAlign=top> <P align=left><B><FONT face=Verdana size=2>New EDI Documents and Requirements </FONT></B></P></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top>&nbsp;</TD> <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=Verdana size=2><B>Federated Department Stores</B> has posted their <A href="http://www.fdsnet.com/MAY/pdf/doc/MayToMacyStoreListing.pdf"> May Company to Macy&#39;s Store Listings</A> showing systems and DC conversions dates of 4/30/2006, 5/28/2006, and 7/2/2006.&nbsp; Be sure to watch for&nbsp;additional information on FDSNET&nbsp;as these dates get closer.</FONT> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2><B>Kohl&#39;s</B> is enhancing their Advance Shipment Notification (ASN) system to include a new retransmission process for incorrect ASN&#39;s. The enhancement includes new information requirements effective March 15, 2006. Detailed information can be found on the <A href="http://www.kohlspartners.com/PDFs/Vendor%20Requirements%20-%20Enhancing%20ASN%20System.pdf"> Kohl&#39;s website</A>.</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2><STRONG>JCPenney</STRONG>&nbsp;has revised their UCC128 Shipping Container Labels and is asking suppliers to comply by February 1, 2006. Additional information <A href="https://supplier.jcpenney.com/supplier/general/newsinfo/viewnewsitem.asp?id=2429"> here</A>. JCPenney also has a new <A href="https://supplier.jcpenney.com/supplier/general/newsinfo/viewnewsitem.asp?id=2426"> Load Management Center </A>effective January 9, 2006 and vendor&#39;s using the 753/754 transactions should review the associated change to the 754. Finally, JCPenney also has a new requirement for vendors to <A href="https://supplier.jcpenney.com/supplier/general/newsinfo/viewnewsitem.asp?id=2414"> implement the EDI 820</A> or use their Supplier Internet site for remittance advice by April 1, 2006.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <HR color=#e6e6e6 SIZE=1> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="97%" border=0><TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=Wingdings color=#020169 size=1>l</FONT></TD> <TD vAlign=top> <P align=left><B><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Retail Mergers and Acquisitions</FONT></B></P></TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=top>&nbsp;</TD> <TD vAlign=top> <P align=left><FONT size=2>It seems that the merger and acquisition rush of 2004 - 2005 has slowed. During 2005 Kmart Holding Corp and Sears, Roebuck and Company combined to form Sears Holdings Corp.&nbsp;&nbsp;Federated Department Stores purchased May Department Stores.&nbsp; This year may bring some downsizing for several major retailers.</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT size=2><STRONG>Albertsons&nbsp;</STRONG>- The rumors of a possible sale were quieted&nbsp;as&nbsp;Larry Johnston, the CEO of Albertsons, announced&nbsp;that the company is no longer for sale.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, he did say that the company will continue to discuss selling off underperforming assets.</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT size=2><STRONG>Mervyn&#39;s</STRONG> is retreating from some geographic locations, with store closures in progress now.</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT size=2><B>Federated Department Stores</B> will be transforming many of their acquired May Company properties into Macy&#39;s stores. Watch for further news this year as they&nbsp;announce plans for&nbsp;dealing with multiple stores in close proximity. </FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT size=2>For&nbsp;additional news and information, visit<A href="http://www.edi-center.com/edi-news.htm"> the EDI Center website.</A></FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=1><A href="#top">Back to top</A></FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <DIV align=center> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD background=http://www.edi-center.com/images/Tabular_Navy-Gold_Newsletter_i07.gif> <P align=right><IMG height=24 src="http://www.edi-center.com/images/Tabular_Navy-Gold_Newsletter_i02.gif" width=24 border=0></P></TD> <CENTER> <TD noWrap width="5%" bgColor=#c69800> <P align=right><B><FONT face=Arial color=#ffffff size=2><A name=02></A>EDI Standards News&nbsp;</FONT></B> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=140 src="http://www.edi-center.com/images/supply_chain.jpg" width=155 align=left border=0><A href="http://www.disa.org/pr02.cfm?Name=1097">ASC X12 (ANSI X12) released their first set of W3C-Compliant XML Schemas Based on Content Inspired Component Architecture (CICA).</A> CICA is ASC X12&#39;s framework for developing international data exchange messaging formats using reusable syntax-neutral components. You might ask, does this mean we are going to see big changes in the retail industry? Not in the&nbsp;near future, the CICA development is currently&nbsp;focused on the&nbsp;Insurance and Transporation industries.&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=1><A href="#top">Back to top</A></FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <DIV align=center> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD background=http://www.edi-center.com/images/Tabular_Navy-Gold_Newsletter_i07.gif> <P align=right><IMG height=24 src="http://www.edi-center.com/images/Tabular_Navy-Gold_Newsletter_i02.gif" width=24 border=0></P></TD> <CENTER> <TD noWrap width="5%" bgColor=#c69800> <P align=right><B><FONT face=Arial color=#ffffff size=2><A name=03></A>Technology News&nbsp;</FONT></B> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=103 src="http://www.edi-center.com/images/rfid_scanner_tags.jpg" width=63 align=right border=0></FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Radio Frequency Identification, <B>RFID</B>, continues to grow in usage and applications, some of which are creating a buzz in the news this week.&nbsp; A Washington state entrepeneur and his girlfriend have installed chips into their hands to give them access to their apartment and computers without keys or passwords. Pfizer is tagging the bottles of a popular prescription medication in an effort to prevent counterfeiting.</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT size=2>Wal-Mart continues to lead in adoption of RFID in the US retail industry. Wal-Mart implemented RFID with&nbsp;their top 100 suppliers last January, 2005.&nbsp;This was&nbsp;pallet and case level RFID tags as a replacement for bar codes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wal-Mart is bringing on another 200 suppliers this month. </FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Meanwhile privacy&nbsp;issues are of&nbsp;concern as the industry&nbsp;makes plans for the next logical steps - implementation at the item level. The idea that the clothes you wear could have an embedded&nbsp;tag that can be used to track your every move is drawing great concern from consumer watchdog groups.</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT size=2>The RFID tags continue to go down in price which helps the economic justification of RFID implementations.&nbsp; However, the technology is still evolving and there are always costs and risks associated with being an early adopter.&nbsp; For the small to medium size business, we recommend that you proceed cautiously.</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Additional information on RFID applications can be found <A href="http://www.edi-center.com/rfid.htm">here</A>.</FONT></P> <P align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=1><A href="#top">Back to top</A></FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <DIV align=center> <CENTER></CENTER></DIV> <P align=left><FONT size=2>For information on EDI training and staffing services, please&nbsp;visit<A href="http://www.edi-center.com/"> the EDI Center website.</A></FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#355581> <P align=center><FONT face=Verdana color=#ffffff size=1>The EDI Center is a resource for education, jobs, and support.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV> <DIV align=center> <CENTER> <TABLE style="BORDER-TOP: #d0c0a0 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana" width="100%"> <P align=center><FONT face=Verdana><BR>&nbsp;<A href="http://www.edi-center.com"><BR>EDI Center</A> | <A href="http://www.edi-center.com/edi-training.htm">EDI Training</A> | <A href="http://www.edi-center.com/edi-jobs.htm">EDI Jobs</A> | <A href="http://www.edi-center.com/edi-staffing.htm">Staffing</A> | <A href="http://www.edi-center.com/edi-resources/edi-directory.htm"> Additional Resources</A></FONT></P> <P align=center><B>EDI Center<BR></B>&nbsp; <BR>Phone: 310-356-7618<BR> <P align=center><MPCT_FOOTER></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></BODY></HTML>